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Breaux Bridge's Dartravien Girod unstoppable despite double coverage

Breaux Bridge High's Dartravien Girod practices on the field before the game as the Breaux Bridge Tigers take on the Cecilia Bulldogs on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019.(Photo: James Mays/Special to the Advertiser)

Whenever a wide receiver develops into a lethal big-play threat, they begin to face double coverage.

That's been the case this season for Breaux Bridge senior wide receiver Dartravien "Pop" Girod, but he's still having a memorable season despite being the focal point of opposing defenses on almost every play.

“Big-time players make big-time plays. I want them to put three on me; two’s not enough.”

Dartravien "Pop" Girod, Breaux Bridge wide receiver

While double coverages are normally an effective way to shut a receiver down, Girod continues to get open and make plays no matter what opposing defenses throw at him.

"(Being double-teamed) motivates me a lot,” Girod said. “(Defenses) are usually playing like a safety on top, I always beat the first man. Big-time players make big-time plays. I want them to put three on me; two’s not enough.”

Girod's stats have been off the charts so far this year, as he's caught 39 passes for 1,084 yards and 12 touchdowns through eight games, which comes out to a per-game average of about 5 catches for 136 yards and almost two touchdowns.

Breaux Bridge High's head coach Chad Pourciau watches his players warm up before the game as the Breaux Bridge Tigers take on the Cecilia Bulldogs on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. James Mays/Special to the Advertiser

Breaux Bridge High's defense takes down Cecilia High wide receiver Ethan Howard (3) as the Breaux Bridge Tigers take on the Cecilia Bulldogs on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. James Mays/Special to the Advertiser

Bears quarterback Tavioin Faulk throws a sidearm pass for a first down as The Carencro Bears take on The Breaux Bridge Tigers in the 2019 Kiwanis Jamboree at Cajun Field. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. SCOTT CLAUSE/THE ADVERTISER

Tigers Kasyn Alexander and Tylynn Menard block the point after by bears kicker Gavin Royer as The Carencro Bears take on The Breaux Bridge Tigers in the 2019 Kiwanis Jamboree at Cajun Field. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. SCOTT CLAUSE/THE ADVERTISER

Tigers head coach Chad Pourciau talks with his team as The Carencro Bears take on The Breaux Bridge Tigers in the 2019 Kiwanis Jamboree at Cajun Field. Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. SCOTT CLAUSE/THE ADVERTISER

Girod not only excels at making plays on offense, he can also play defense if needed, as he started at free safety last week and played almost every snap.

“He has been unbelievable,” Pourciau said. “He’s special. Whenever he touches the ball, he makes something happen. He played every snap but two plays (against Thibodaux).”

But Girod said the extra workload didn't faze him.

“Friday (against Thibodeaux) was a tough one,” Girod said. “I only got out the game one time. I’m not even tired; we work hard during the summer.”

A key to Girod's success on offense is his strong connection with quarterback Gavin Courville, as they're able to connect on a variety of routes to evade double coverage.

“Gavin has been hitting me on the money," Girod said. "Our favorite route is probably the go, but the curl works really well. People have film on the post from last year, so on the curl I just come back and make a play. I just have to make the play because I don’t know when I’ll get another chance.”

Girod's knack for getting open and making plays is part of what makes him special.

"No matter what route we call, he’s going to find a way to get open,” Pourciau said. “Whether it’s making a tough catch and run, he does whatever he has to do to get the ball and finding a way to get open despite double teams. He has a knack for making a play. It really is that simple for him, you can’t coach it.

"He doesn’t say a whole lot; he just goes out and performs. Not a rah-rah guy, he just shows up. He plays bigger and faster than he is. He’s just got that ‘it’ factor. I still haven’t figured out what ‘it’ is, but he has it.”

Girod's name has been mentioned among the best receivers in the state, and the fact that he already has over 1,000 receiving yards backs that up.

“I really do believe he (Girod) is the best wide receiver in the state,” Pourciau said. “I might be a little biased because I’ve coached him. He’s not the best athlete, but the numbers he’s put up while seeing double coverage are unbelievable. He’s fun to be around. You wouldn’t know it if he had two catches or 10 catches, he plays the same way all the time.”

Girod's senior season has gone about as well as he or anyone else could've hoped, and he's putting it all on the line in hopes of leading his team to a deep playoff run.

“It’s my last year playing high school football, so I’ve got to get it,” Girod said. “Got to leave everything on the field. I treat every game like it’s my last game. I hope we can get far (in the playoffs), just have to stay positive and game plan.”

Girod will be taking his talents to the Division I level next year, as he's committed to Southern Miss as a wide receiver.

“I’m just ready to get on the field,” Giord said. “They throw the ball a lot. I just want to get on the field and perform. I know they’ll get me the ball. I’m just ready for the next level.”

Spencer Urquhart covers high school sports for The Daily Advertiser. Email him at surquhart@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter @surquhart98.